Ousmane Dembele has claimed the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season, a decision that sparked widespread debate given his limited starting opportunities at Paris Saint-Germain this campaign. The winger made just nine league starts yet still edged out fellow PSG midfielder Vitinha, defender Nuno Mendes, and Marseille forward Mason Greenwood to secure the prize, voted for by fellow players across the league.
Dembele's remarkable achievement stems from his efficiency when deployed on the pitch. Across 20 Ligue 1 appearances, the French winger registered 10 goals and 6 assists, demonstrating his ability to deliver in decisive moments despite extended periods on the sidelines through injury. When called upon, particularly in crucial fixtures against Marseille and Lille, Dembele proved instrumental to PSG's title push in the latter stages of the season.
Balancing Playing Time and Impact
During the award ceremony, Dembele acknowledged the contentious nature of his selection, recognizing that supporters and analysts questioned how limited starting time could translate to the league's most prestigious individual honour. "Perceptions have changed because I'm the reigning Ballon d'Or winner," he explained. "I've had quite a few physical setbacks and haven't had a lot of playing time, but every time I've been on the pitch, I've tried to be there for the team. I don't know if my time counts double, but I'm happy that the players voted for me."
His PSG teammate Vitinha, who finished as runner-up, responded graciously to the result. The midfielder joked that his own lack of goals may have cost him the award, praising Dembele as the league's standout performer. "He's the Ballon d'Or winner, he's the best player in our league," Vitinha said, while Dembele cheekily suggested the midfielder should focus on "getting things done quickly" to avoid physical strain.
PSG's Continued Excellence in Individual Awards
Beyond Dembele's honour, Desire Doue extended PSG's dominance of Ligue 1 accolades by winning the Young Player of the Season award for a second straight year. The 20-year-old winger's repeated success underscores the French champions' recruitment and development strategy, with emerging talents like Doue and established stars like Dembele shaping their competitive outlook.
As PSG prepares for the remainder of the season, Dembele's ability to maintain peak performance while managing fitness concerns will prove crucial to their ambitions in both domestic and European competitions. His trophy case now reflects not merely longevity, but the capacity to influence matches decisively when opportunity demands.
